Spring Cleaning at SOTC
Sunday, June 4, after worship
It’s this coming Sunday! Stick around after worship to help with some indoor and outdoor projects. Not available on June 4? Check out the list of projects in the narthex and complete it at a time that’s convenient for you. Thank you in advance for all your help!
Joint Worship with New Era
June 11 @ 9:00 am @ SOTC
July 16 @ 9:00am @ New Era
Earlier this spring, our Worship and Music Team had an idea to invite New Era to participate in a joint worship service as a gesture of hospitality and as a way to live as one in the body of Christ. Currently, New Era does not have a called pastor.
Now, we are excited to announce that, after conversations between SOTC and New Era leaders, we will be joining together for worship twice this summer – once at SOTC and once at New Era. Our intention in worship is to have worship volunteers actively participating from both congregations, and to use liturgy/music that is familiar to both congregations.
To be clear: the intent of these two worship services is simply to worship together this summer. We, along with New Era, are not approaching these two worship services with an expectation for something to occur post-summer.
We are looking forward to offering our praise to Jesus together as one in the body of Christ and hope you’ll be able to join us! If you have any questions or concerns, contact Delene McConnaha, Mackenzie Gilbert, or Pastor Aleese.
Choir with New Era
Respond by Sunday, June 11
Do you like to sing? Would you like to sing in a joint choir? As a part of our joint worship with New Era on July 16, leaders are seeking to form a one-time choir. If you’re interested in singing, sign up in the narthex or contact the church office.
Supper at the Lighthouse with SOTC
June 24 @ 5:30 pm
Join us for a night of fellowship with your Shepherds! We’ll meet at The Lighthouse (2142 Water Street, Fairport). If you’re interested in attending, sign up in the narthex or contact the main office so we can reserve a spot for us.
Book Club Initial Meeting Reminder
Wednesday, May 31 @ 6:00 @ Grace
We’ve got a crew together for the summer! Join us for our initial meeting in which we will give instruction of how/where to get your copy of a book, go over what book club will be like, and set meeting dates for the summer. If you are unable to make this initial meeting time, talk to Pastor Aleese.
Summer GOLF (Generations of Living Faith) Nights!
June 11, July 16, August 20
5:30 – 7:00 pm (dinner @ 5:30)
By now you’ve likely heard about the summer GOLF nights that SOTC is hosting, along with several other Muscatine congregations. But now…we need to know if you’re planning on coming! RSVP by end of the day Sunday, June 4 if you’re planning on joining us! All are welcome – families, adults, kids, individuals….EVERYONE!
Muscatine Welcomes a New Ukrainian Family
Muscatine is preparing to welcome a Ukrainian family – mother, father, young son (6 years old). The family has been housed in Poland since the beginning of the war. To help make their transition to Muscatine smooth, community organizers are looking for the following donations. If you desire to provide any of these items, contact Pastor Aleese immediately so she can notify the organizers that the item you are donating is no longer needed.
Items needed are:
- 3 bath towels
- 3 hand towels
- 3 wash clothes
- 1 twin sheet set (including pillow case)
- Paper, pens, pencils, home office supplies
- Dish soap, laundry soap, fabric softener, laundry basket
- Wastebaskets – 2 kitchen sized, 2 small sized
- trash bags for wastebaskets
- mop and bucket
- broom and dustpan
- mattress and boxspring – twin set, queen set
- bed frames – twin set, queen set
- set of drawers or unit for storage (3)
- couch or equivalent seating for 4
Asylum Seekers Need your Help!
Now that Title 42 has ended, new rules will make it very difficult for many individuals and families to seek safety in the United Sates and many will be turned away. Those that are allowed to stay will arrive with little or nothing. Welcome Centers are so critical during this time. When asylum seekers enter these centers, they are offered emergency food, housing, financial assistance, connections to community resources, and legal and education services. These simple gestures honor their dignity and let them know so many people deeply care about them.
The situation is urgent. The fastest way to make an impact is to give through Lutheran Immigration & Refugee Services (LIRS). Thank you for your support of those in the body of Christ near and far!
Baking Pies for RAGBRAI
Plans are in the works to be a part of a multi-congregation fundraising effort as a part of the RAGBRAI event coming through Muscatine on July 29. Funds raised will be distributed back to congregations according to how many pies each congregation contributed/sold.
Willing to help bake? Or, volunteer on July 29? We’ll need YOU! Contact Melissa Booth, Mackenzie Gilbert, or Delene McConnaha for more information.
Blessing and Farewell for Bakke’s
Sunday, June 25
For many, many years, the Bakke’s have devoted themselves to SOTC and to the mission of Jesus. Join us as we offer our thanks and blessing before they depart for Rockford later this summer. At the close of worship, we’ll offer a blessing and plant a tree in their honor.